Chicago—In a joint venture with Deerfield, Ill.-based Globe Corp., M&R Development has commenced construction on The Residences at Wilmette, a five-story, 75-unit multifamily community in the near north Chicago suburb of Wilmette, Ill. Situated on well-trafficked Green Bay Road, the development will also feature 6,200 square feet of ground-floor retail. Completion is slated for August 2017.

Standing less than one block from the Wilmette station on Metra’s Union Pacific North Line, The Residences at Wilmette will give residents a 36-minute commute to Ogilvy Transportation Center on the west side of Chicago’s Loop.

When not office-bound, residents may want to direct themselves down a different route, this an eastbound bike path leading directly to the shoreline of nearby Lake Michigan.

Not far away, residents will be able to catch buses on any one of three Pace Suburban Bus Lines. The Residences at Wilmette will also put them close to the Wilmette Public Library, village government center and an assortment of retail and restaurant options.

There is pent-up demand for new luxury rentals in downtown Wilmette, according to Anthony Rossi Sr. president of Itasca, Ill-based M&R Development.

“In fact, this building will mark the first new-construction rental community in the immediate area in many years,” he added. “The development’s location next to public transportation, along with its mix of high-end residential and commercial uses, will make it an ideal place to live for longtime Wilmette residents looking to make a change to a maintenance-free lifestyle yet still remain in the area.”

The Residences at Wilmette will offer a blend of studio, one-, two- and three-bedroom floor plans, extending from 650 to 1,550 square feet in size. Among the features and fixtures of the residences will be nine-and-a-half-foot ceilings, up-to-date kitchens with quartz countertops and stainless steel appliances, and high-end baths with ceramic-tile floors and show enclosures. Residences will also feature washer-dryers, cable TV, high-speed Wi-Fi and high-efficiency furnace and air conditioning units.

Common-area amenities include a 7,300-square-foot landscaped terrace with outdoor seating, grilling stations and a fire pit. Also featured will be a fitness center with cardio and weight training equipment, as well as a club room that can be reserved for private gatherings and a business center. Bike storage, a dog wash, a pet grooming station and an indoor parking garage round out the amenity package.

“With luxury condominium-quality interior finishes and high-end craftsmanship, there’s no doubt The Residences at Wilmette will appeal to discerning renters by choice,” Rossi said. “These maintenance-free apartments will resonate just as much with area residents wanting to downsize as they will with those looking to move into the top-ranked New Trier school district.”

Oak Brook, Ill.-based Schwarz Lewis Design Group designed the property. The general contractor is Chicago-based McHugh Construction.